A show-and-tell birthday celebration on Staten Island

Members of the Army Reserves 319th Army band play the national anthem outside the Staten Island Mall, New Springville.Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In honor of the U.S. Army’s 238th birthday, the military organization staged a celebration — highlighting its work, soldiers and dedication to America with an outdoor event in the Staten Island Mall parking lot on Richmond Avenue.

“We’re here to celebrate the Army’s birthday and show the importance of soldiers getting ready for basic training,” said Captain Carl Caroffino, who organized the event.

A couple dozen Army recruits, as well as a handful of active soldiers and the Army Reserve’s 319th Army band were on hand last Wednesday, June 12. A mobile unit, the U.S. Army Aviation Adventure Van, offered the public an interactive experience, showing what a soldier may experience in the military.

With just a few days remaining until his high-school graduation, Port Richmond’s Olawale Boyejo is preparing to head to boot camp this summer.

Boyejo said it was important to participate in the event, and he anticipates developing leadership skills and experience during his time with the Army. He was happy to meet and chat with other recruits in similar situations.

“They had a lot of options in life and they chose the military,” said Capt. Caroffino, who is stationed at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn. The Kalamazoo, Mich., native has been in the Army for 10 years. He added the event offered a display of the Army’s proud history and traditions. “Some people just want the confidence and adventure.” Â

‘I LOVED IT’

Former Army paratrooper Manuel Fernandez was excited to visit the event. A Richmond resident, he retired from the military in 1996 following 21 years of service, include three different tours amassing nine years of duty in Europe.

“I loved it. I was all over,” he said as he stood inside the Aviation Adventure Van, which gave the public a sneak peak into what soldiers experience while aboard AH-64 Apache helicopters and other airborne units.

Sergeant Nathaniel Rogers moves the mobile unit to various Army events throughout the country.

“Our mission is to connect America’s people with America’s Army. We go out and show people what the Army is all about — different jobs, benefits and all the different aspects we have in the Army,” he explained. “This gives you the sensation of flying.”

He said it’s important for the military to show people what the Army is about.

“A lot of people have misconceptions about what the Army has to offer. They think all we do is go out and shoot people, but a majority of our jobs are support jobs which have nothing to do with that,” said Sgt. Rogers.

While browsing what the vehicle offered, including an actual military uniform with aviation head gear, Fernandez was reminded of a time when he was an active soldier.

“Being that I was a paratrooper, I was involved in aviation. This brings everything to me: The sights, the sounds. It’s a good experience,” he said. “You get to see first-hand what a soldier goes through. It feels good.”